Sisson: This could be ‘one of the top defenses that Colorado State has seen’

CSU linebacker Mychal Sisson celebrates his fumble recovery against Air Force in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium in last season's game.

FORT COLLINS – Improvement on the defensive side of the football is a three-step process at Colorado State.

First, you need players. Most everyone in the program feels this is the best collection of defenders in recent years.

Second, you need effort. Last season, that was a big problem as players jogged in pursuit of the ball or worse. Effort was a problem.

Third, you need turnovers. Colorado State tied for 112th in the nation last season (with Cincinnati and Rice) with just 14 turnovers. That’s roughly 1.1 per game.

That’s not good enough. But this year, says the team’s defensive leader, Mychal Sisson, things will be different, starting at the top.

“Just our athletic ability and speed,” Sisson says. “We will have a lot more speed on the field this year, and we’re going to cause a lot of turnovers. In the past we’ve been lacking in that category, which has kind of been hindering us in getting off the field. I really feel we’re going to cause a lot more turnovers and get the ball back to the offense a lot more quickly than we was in the past.”

Coach Steve Fairchild has been satisfied overall with what he’s seen from an invigorated defensive unit, hoping that translates to the field with the lights on are on Saturdays this fall. Sisson insists effort has been stressed during preseason camp.

“Just guys going out there playing (hard),” he said. “Last year you see guys taking plays off. This year even from Day 1 of camp we tried to preach to everybody go (hard) no matter what. Even if you’re on the other side of the field the ball is on, you’ve got to run to it because you can cause a fumble, can cause a turnover. I feel everybody has been trying to do that and it’s been hitting home with everybody.”

Asked if this is the best defense he’s seen in his years at CSU, Sisson did not hesitate.

“I think it might be,” he said. “I think we could be in the running to be one of the top defenses that Colorado State has seen. So, we have the talent, we have the ability, we just have to go out there and prove it.”

Chris Dempsey: Twitter @dempseypost or cdempsey@denverpost.com

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